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Topic: i need help... (Read 1295 times)

hopefulagnostic

I am a 20 year old girl who has been trying to find my way to God since I was maybe 12 or 13. Nothing has seemed to work. I have been both drawn to and repelled from Christianity, since that's what most people around me believe in. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, although we celebrate Christian holidays, my mom believes in "the spirit" and my dad doesn't really give it too much thought. I've always wished I grew up in a solid belief home so it could just take the guesswork out of it all, and at least at the end of our lives my immediate family would be saved. This Christian belief of hell absolutely poisons my beliefs about the entire religion, I don't understand it, I hate it, how can I be more merciful against mankind than God himself??? I absolutely cannot put my faith in a religion that condemns my family, I won't do it. I've read articles on this site, and alot of them make sense but there is still that fear that eats away at me. The whole "what if?" question. I've tried praying, I've gone to different churches, I've tried asking God for clarity and the truth, I've just never had that moment or connection with him. Why not me!? I'd like to believe in a loving god rather than a punishing one, and this part of Christianity has really made me dislike Christians who believe this way. How can they go on and live their lives and interact with those of us who are damned with smiles on their faces and words of the holy when they're just content with themselves being saved and the sinners sent to lakes of fire? This idea of hell has haunted me for years, and sometimes I wake in the middle of the night in a cold sweat sick with this fear. Does anybody have any advice for me?

Here's the thing, there is already a crying out in you that God is addressing . . .he's leading you without your head fully understanding it. But as far as "I'm" concerned, it might not be all that bad of a deal that you have no religious up-bringing because now, there's nothing there that he needs to penetrate to tear back down again

Faith is trust. So many try to rely on proof and all it really leads to is argument. Our minds just have trouble comprehending how great God is and how powerful is love has been. The thing about thsi universal reconciliation thing is, it's not really a doctrine at all. It's a realization that God is leading all of us into. Scripture does fully support it, but only to those who have the vision from Him to see it. It's not something you can make into a corporation so churches really struggle with it. They can't get it to fit within their predetermined boundaries, it's just too big.

But the fact is, God brought you to a place such as this, a forum such as this. He brought your heart to the condition it's currently in so that when this day came when you would find yourself on this forum, your heart would be ready and receptive for it. So it's not that God isn't hearing your prayers, you're just not seeing his hand due to the clouded frustrations of the doctrines out there that have muddied the waters.

There is clarity here, there are people here that have come on similar paths like yourself that can relate to and assist in God birthing his fulness in you. Let that inner voice that brought you here continue to lead you deeper into the Father's love. There is great rest there. It's beyond the noise of religious discussion. It's an ascended place. Let your mind absorb the heavenly sounds of harmonizing voices in this forum, sing with us. Worship God with us as we all celebrate and rejoice in the fact that Jesus blood is just that powerful that he really did accomplish what he set out to do . . .he came to save the world and that's exactly what he did.

Hi, and welcome here. As Nathan said, faith is trust. Trust that Jesus is there, that He's truly the Savior of the world, which means He is also your Savior. He said if we believe that He died and rose again, and would call on Him, He would save us. Ask Him to make Himself real to you, ask Him to forgive you and save you, and He will.

Lastly, don't worry about putting your faith in a "religion". Jesus is the Son of God, and it's in Him we believe. He loves you, and He has no intention of eternally torturing anyone, you included. That's a mistake we've made. It's not the message of the Gospel. The Gospel is the Good News; in fact, that's what "gospel" means. Good News! Jesus is our Savior!

I'll pray for you, and join right in. Seek Him first.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

I grew up in "the church". I had all that upbringing that you talked about, you know where it got me? Shackles just like everyone else. The weight of being afraid of God is a heavy burden to bear, but "perfect love casts out all fear". I knew I was "in" and most of my friends and family too. But still I couldn't reconcile God's love,power, mercy, with eternal hell. The biggest issue for me was "if God knows the end from the beginning, He knows everything that will happen before it does, why would He create children knowing they would never "accept" Him, and they will burn forever. Like you said sounds like a monster.

But I still held on, had faith that God is good even in Hell. I was a fervent supporter of the hell doctrine, because thats what the bible said (or so I'd been told). Eventually the deadness of my life was too much to bear. I cried out to God for the truth no matter what the cost, because I knew I was missing something (actually at the time I thought it was some sin in my life that was holding me back).

Oh the joy that I was wrong, the problem wasn't with what I was doing (not that sin isn't an issue), it was that I was believing in a man made god. A god cooked up by the religionists. But the truth shall set you free. And He did, now I see what a big tent God has, it covers all of creation.

Search, seek, ask, I promise you won't be dissapointed in the Living God. There is a treasure hidden in plain sight, that many walk right by without seeing it, Jesus said seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear. Don't allow men to tell you who God is, find out for yourself, He will reveal Himself to you. He is good. He IS love.

I grew up in "the church". I had all that upbringing that you talked about, you know where it got me? Shackles just like everyone else. The weight of being afraid of God is a heavy burden to bear, but "perfect love casts out all fear". I knew I was "in" and most of my friends and family too. But still I couldn't reconcile God's love,power, mercy, with eternal hell. The biggest issue for me was "if God knows the end from the beginning, He knows everything that will happen before it does, why would He create children knowing they would never "accept" Him, and they will burn forever. Like you said sounds like a monster.

But I still held on, had faith that God is good even in Hell. I was a fervent supporter of the hell doctrine, because thats what the bible said (or so I'd been told). Eventually the deadness of my life was too much to bear. I cried out to God for the truth no matter what the cost, because I knew I was missing something (actually at the time I thought it was some sin in my life that was holding me back).

Oh the joy that I was wrong, the problem wasn't with what I was doing (not that sin isn't an issue), it was that I was believing in a man made god. A god cooked up by the religionists. But the truth shall set you free. And He did, now I see what a big tent God has, it covers all of creation.

Search, seek, ask, I promise you won't be dissapointed in the Living God. There is a treasure hidden in plain sight, that many walk right by without seeing it, Jesus said seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear. Don't allow men to tell you who God is, find out for yourself, He will reveal Himself to you. He is good. He IS love.

Amen.

Logged

Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2

Confident UR Christian

Hello hopefulagnostic and welcome! My heart goes out to you. (Sorry if this post is too long…!)

I'm even younger than you, 18 (baptised and confirmed when I was 16, atheist Dad, sort-of agnostic Mum), and I only discovered Tentmaker this year (and registered only a few days ago) and I have had serious problems and fears in the past. One very low moment (perhaps around April this year) was when I was almost abandoning the faith, but, as a last ditch in desperation, I opened up the Bible at any place, and I think it was right on the page with Colossians 1 v15-20 on it (an excellent passage):

"15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

This passage was absolutely wonderful at that time (and still is now) - a lifesaver!

In case you're worried, the 'all' here really means 'all', and not 'some' (it's easy to get worried about little details such as this)! The Greek word according to my search program is "panta", which is the same 'all' that is used in Matthew 19:26: "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' "

Of course, some of my favourite passages are below:

Romans 11:32 (NIV) "32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." (Romans seems to give a whole story about God's plan for both the Gentiles and the Jews, resulting in this monumentous statement)

1 Corinthians 14: 20-22 (NIV) "20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. "

Holding onto the words of the Bible can be our stronghold in times of doubt about Christian doctrine, rather than being tossed to and fro between different interpretations! God desires us to be thoughtful, and to follow our conscience and reason, which I think clearly point to Universal Reconciliation:

Romans 2:15 (NIV) "15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them."

I have decided to anchor firmly my trust in the truth about God – that He is love alone, and acts in love alone, and so in all things we can trust and love Him:

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16, NIV)

"God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5, NIV)

In this, God is said to be both light and love, and so the term 'light' can be thought to wholly include a reference to 'love'. It is said that in God there is no darkness at all, and thus no lack of love at all in any way. This means that we can trust that God is love, and love alone, no matter how many misconceptions people can have before we all finally realise this liberating and wonderful truth! God's justice, in my mind, is not a retributive form, it is a corrective form (the Greek word used for punishment is usually, 'kolasis', referring to correction rather than retribution) that seeks to restore the offender. Hence, God's justice is restorative and aims to restore 'wholeness' to everyone: it is a fundamental part of God's love, rather than standing opposed to it in any way, as I believe is a common misconception. Similarly, God's holiness can be thought of as referring to the fact that He is infinitely more loving than any person, separate and way above any human standard, rather than an abstract concept.

Jesus Himself mentioned how the Law and the Prophets (composing much of the Old Testament), are based on love:

37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

(Matthew 22:37-40, NIV)

This is then the key to understanding God, morality, the Bible, and absolutely everything. The Bible, especially some passages that can, on the face of it, appear really conflicting with God's love on the outset, can be interpreted with God's love in mind. By this, it seems to me that many of the more difficult events in the Old Testament, all of which have text inspired by God, can be thought of as figurative, conveying ideas rather than being a history textbook (in this, I consider the Canaan conquest, and some other passages, to be figurative, like one of Jesus' parables). This does not stop them being inspired, but just proposes that we treat them as inspired parables (for want of a better word) rather than as totally literal record of history – in this, they can be seen to have deep meaning that is utterly compatible with God's love.

Another problem that a person may have is with constant (and utterly false) accusations that we see that Christianity is 'irrational', or 'without any evidence', when, in reality, it seems to me that it is, to the contrary, an extremely reasonable faith that we can be completely confident in. To make a few points on this issue (which is one of my favourite areas): science and Christianity are not opposed, but stand in harmony, with science being not a 'replacement' for God, but instead a description of how God does things within the world. For me personally, this includes evolution: it is perfectly compatible with Christianity (and may even support it). With all these things, when we see quantum theory etc. happening, we can just think to ourselves, "Wow! That's how God did it!"

There is a multitude of evidence for God (unlike what some people like to say); for starters, I'd just like to quickly give a taster of the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ (showing that God loved us so much that He was prepared to die for us), involving a historical argument that does not need to first assume Biblical inspiration (although I agree with Biblical inspiration, this argument does not require it):

The good majority of scholars (even agnostic and atheist) accept the following facts on the basis, largely, of a passage about resurrection appearances in 1 Corinthians 15 (ironically the same chapter as the "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" verse) which is widely believed to have come from within a few years of the crucifixion:

1) Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross2) The disciples had experiences which they sincerely believed to be of the risen Jesus3) Jesus' half-brother James, a sceptic, and Paul, the persecutor, also had experiences which they believed to be of the risen Jesus, which caused them both to become Church leaders.

Then there's very good evidence for the empty tomb in that Christianity began in Jerusalem and Jesus' tomb was near Jerusalem. If it had not been empty, all the early authorities would have had to have done to disprove the disciples (which they certainly wanted to do) would be to show them that a crucified body was still in the tomb where Jesus was buried, and this, if it had happened, should have crushed the Christian faith. Thus, because Christianity certainly did not stop and there are no credible reports of anyone revealing a tomb with Jesus' body in it, we can be confident of the empty tomb.

What can we conclude from these 'minimal facts'?

a) The disciples were not lying, and hence they did not steal the body (especially since the tomb was guarded by armed soldiers). Many died for their faith (and stood against the tenets of their original Jewish worldviews), which would not have happened if they personally knew themselves to be propagating a lie, especially when Jesus was so focussed on truth.

b) The 'swoon' hypothesis is utterly false (Jesus not actually dying) Survivors of crucifixion were very, very rare, and, even if He had survived, He would have had to get out of the graveclothes, roll back the stone (all while needing desperate medical attention), single-handedly fight off the guards, walk all the way back to the city (without being noticed by anyone at all as covered in blood and without good clothing) and then dishonestly convince the disciples of 'resurrection' while in desperate need of medical attention. Then, He would have to hide all the time, or leave completely, in order to not be found, and refuse to be known to any of the disciples, or ever reveal Himself again. This 'theory' also fails to account for Jesus' sceptical half-brother James and the conversion of Paul. Therefore, this 'alternative theory' utterly fails.

c) Hallucination hypothesis is also not true: 500 people are reported to have been having experiences of the risen Jesus, as well as many other mass hallucinations. Since a single mass hallucination is extraordinarily implausible, a number of mass hallucinations is a very poor explanation, especially as, in this case, people would not see the same thing.

In massive contrast, the resurrection of Jesus Christ fits all these facts easily without forcing, unlike the above unsuccessful attempts. It explains the experiences of the disciples, Paul and James with the empty tomb perfectly. Hence, as by far the best historical explanation, we can be confident that Jesus, indeed, has been bodily resurrected.

In all these ways, we can be confident that the central affirmation, the resurrection, is wonderfully rational, and objectively true. In addition, and even more importantly, God is love, and love alone.

Anyway, sorry if I have just ranted on. Please keep posting on this site with any queries that you may have – you are very welcome indeed!

Confident UR Christian

I don't know if anyone here wants any of the apologetics stuff about things like design arguments, defences from atheist attacks, evidence for Jesus' resurrection, in addition to the (wonderful) UR apologetics and encouragement. If they do, I would be OK to write some other posts on these issues.

I hope hopefulagnostic will find some benefit from the posts on this page...

waitinontheLamb

Hopeful, welcome aboard this place where God has guided you to. I am one who spent several years investigating this truth that seemed to just be too good to be true.

You have given such a wonderful post that perfectly portrays the sickness of the "orthodox" teaching about God. They have covered over the love of God in order to keep people in line.

Please stick with this. You will be set free.

And as far as I can tell through a simple post, you already have had that moment with God. Your heart is turned to Him, it is just turned off by those who ravage His love in the eyes of those who seek Him. That is a good place to be. The institution cannot keep you from Him when He is calling and He has told us that when He was lifted up on the cross, that He would draw ALL people to Himself. He is drawing you and is in love with you.

Do not fear. Neither you nor any of your loved ones are in any danger. He has you all in His hands. He is truly a Father and as such, He may bring each of us through hard times of teaching, but He will never not be with us, nor will He ever do any of it with any other motive than love and growth.